Other Recommended SitesHere are some sites that I recommend. Four of them help students learn to read and write (or type).
The last site sells plastic letters suitable for spelling words at a very reasonable price. Reading SimplifiedI recently learned about Reading Simplified. I saw an offer on Facebook to watch a free video which introduces three methods they use: Switch It, Read It, and Sort It. The switch it activity is very similar to activities in the Sound City Reading program using plastic letters. I especially like that fact that this program has students spell words by saying the letter sounds, not the letter names. They provide teacher training and all the materials you need for very reasonable monthly or yearly payments. If you are looking for a program that teaches phonics, spelling, and reading with a good teacher training program, I highly recommend Reading Simplified, created by Marnie Ginsberg, PhD. Click on the first green bar below to go to their web site. Or click on the second bar to sign up for the free introductory webinar that I attended, as described above. If you complete the webinar you will be able to download sample pages.
Spencer LearningThe first site is helpful for those who need help learning all of the phonetic patterns and help learning how to decode (sound out) words. This is an online instructional program that teaches decoding directly on the computer screen. You will need an internet connection to do the lessons. Students practice reading both words and sentences. The program is sequential. It includes pages that can be printed for extra practice reading the words and sentences. It must be purchased but in my opinion the price is very reasonable.
Although I haven't used this program before, I think it would work well as a compliment to the Sound City Reading materials on this site. Click on the green bar to visit this site. |
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Touch-Type Read And Spell
This is a typing program that has the added benefit of teaching phonetic patterns at the same time. Students learn how to place their fingers to type each letter and begin spelling words right away. The sequence covers many phonetic patterns. Students practice typing a number of words with each pattern. My grandchildren use this site and I love to see them learn to type. You will need an internet connection to do this program.
Click on the green bar to visit this site.
Click on the green bar to visit this site.
Dekodiphukan
I used this program with my first grade classes many years ago. The students loved it. The version I used was a large kit with numerous center activities. The kit is no longer available, but the author, Bob Baratta-Lorton, has made the program available on line without cost as printouts of the original materials. In addition, he has created a free set of iPad apps that allows students to do all of the same activities on the iPad. The program is based on a sound story called Dekodiphukan (decode if you can). Students hear the story read aloud to be introduced to the sound pictures in the story. Then students do sound blending activities, starting with the sound pictures and moving eventually to letters so that they can read and spell words. This is an extensive program that provides lots and lots of practice so that students can master reading and writing. The program has many, many engaging pictures to illustrate both words and phrases.
Click on the green bar to visit this site. The Dekodiphukan page is part of the Center For Innovation In Education, Inc. web site, which also includes teaching guides for teaching math.
Click on the green bar to visit this site. The Dekodiphukan page is part of the Center For Innovation In Education, Inc. web site, which also includes teaching guides for teaching math.
Freedom Homeschooling
This site provides links to many different websites that offer free teaching materials. Click on the green bar to go to the site.
Abecedarian - Plastic Alphabet Letters
The Abecedarian web site at www.alphabetletter.com sells a variety of small plastic letters that are perfect for spelling activities when students are learning to read and spell. Both capital and lower case letters are available and they can be purchased with or without magnets. Just the vowels can be purchased separately in a different color. Upper and lower case of Spanish letters are also available. The site also sells plastic numbers.
Click on the bar below to visit this site.
Click on the bar below to visit this site.
Secret Stories
I was fortunate enough to attend an inservice presentation about Secret Stories while I was teaching. Katie Garner has put together a wonderful set of materials that teach phonetic patterns in a very creative way. Her approach is similar to the sound story in Sound City Reading. She tells a little individual stories about each of the phonetic patterns to explain why they say their own particular sounds. Wall charts include a picture poster for each of the stories and can be used for reference and review. I used them on my wall for a time combined with my own charts. You can see a picture of them among the wall chart pictures on this site under OVERVIEW OF MATERIALS, WALL CHARTS, PREVIOUS WALL CHARTS. The Secret Stories posters I had were printed on a red background. The newer versions are far more colorful.
Click on the bar below to visit this site.
Click on the bar below to visit this site.
Brain Gym
This program has wonderful movement exercises that prepare students to learn. Books are available with straightforward instructions that are easy to implement.
